Two France rugby players held in Argentina over alleged sexual assault

Fabien Galthié's touring squad of South America suffered another setback after a racism scandal when two players were arrested over allegations of a sexual assault on a woman. AP - Christophe Ena

Police in Argentina were on Tuesday questioning France rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou over allegations of a sexual assault on a woman.

The attack is alleged to have taken place on Saturday night following France's 28-13 victory over Argentina in Mendoza.

French rugby federation chiefs confirmed that Auradou and Jegou were detained in Buenos Aires on Monday and will be escorted back to Mendoza.

"A commission from the province of Mendoza will proceed with doing the relevant examinations," said Martin Ahumada, a spokesman for the Mendoza prosecutor's office.

"If the examinations align with the testimony of the victim, the related charge will be made," he told the French news agency AFP.

Local media reports said the alleged incident took place at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza, where France's players and staff were staying for last weekend's Test match.

Auradou, 20, who plays for Section Paloise in the the French top flight, comes from illustrious rugby stock.

His father, David, enjoyed a decorated career with Stade Francais and the France national team. Hugo's older brother, Paul, plays for the second division outfit Stade Nicois.

Questions

Jegou, 21, made his professional debut for Stade Rochelais in the Top 14 towards the end of the 2023 season.

With the absence of several players for the 2023 rugby World Cup, he was given an extended run in the first team.

However, he blotted his copy book when he was banned for a month for taking cocaine. Despite his lapse, France rugby boss Fabien Galthié selected him and Auradou for the tour to reward their star performances in the France squad that swept to the under-20 World Cup last year in South Africa. The game against Argentina was their debut in the senior squad.

"If the facts are proven, they are incredibly serious," said French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Florian Grill.

"You must spare a thought for the young woman. It's the opposite of everything that rugby is, of everything that rugby does, of everything that rugby builds."

Player in racism scandal

The arrests come a day after France full-back Melvyn Jaminet was thrown out of the touring for making a racist comment in a video on social media.

"I promise, the first Arab I see on the road, I'll headbutt him," said Jaminet on film.

The FFR condemned his video comments as totally unacceptable and against the fundamental values of the sport.

Jaminet subsequently apologised for his remarks after being booted out of the squad.

"I am deeply sorry and ashamed of my comments," Jaminet said on social media. "Racism, in all its forms, is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in."

France are due to travel to Montevideo on Tuesday where they face Uruguay on Wednesday. The team is then due to return to Buenos Aires for a second Test against Argentina on Saturday.